Shiny suits were banned on January 1, 2010 but the times set in them survive. Progress is being made, with a new set of standards for the sport unfolding before our eyes regardless of whether officialdom wishes to acknowledge it or not. Some are setting textile bests, a few wiping out shiny suit standards.

At the London 2012 Olympics, 10 world records, six among women, fell and a further 14 world textile bests were established by swimmers whose standards will not be officially recognised.

*- time was never ratified as a world record because Lenton (later Trickett) raced in a lane next to Michael Phelps in a mixed relay in contravention of FINA rules governing the conditions under which world records may be established.